Jorge Prado to Make MX2 Debut at MXGP of Belgium

Vital MX - Jorge Prado will make his professional debut at this coming weekend's MXGP of Belgium. Check out the full press release from Red Bull KTM below.

Lommel (Belgium) - Jorge Prado lives in Lommel. His family decided to move to this small Belgian town already four years ago to take the necessary steps so that the promising star of Spanish motocross couldtrain with the best international riders, get used to the difficultsand tracks and be close to his team, Red Bull-KTM's headquarters.Lommel is his home and coincidentally there, in the toughest track ofthe whole championship, Jorge will make his World Championship debut.

It will be next weekend, during the Grand Prix of Belgium when Prado lines up, for the first time in his brilliant career, behind the starting gate of a World Championship race. He will do so as a firsttaste of the MX2 category, with the goal of adapting to what will be his "war" in 2017. This way, the Galician rider leaves behind the European 250c.c. Championship in which he has shined, getting on the podium on multiple occasions and in which he sits fourth despite his short age and having had a late start to the championship due to an injury. "The European championship has been a good experience, with very tough races, much older riders and very uncomfortable schedules, but I am happy with my performance which was another step towards the MX2 class."

Without the pressure of fighting for a championship, but with the respect of lining up against the best riders in the world, Jorge tackles this challenge with great excitement: "My whole career has been focused towards racing the World and AMA championships, and next weekend I will fulfil part of my dream. It motivates me further to race against the best and to be able to measure myself against them. I am really eager because I feel I could do a decent job and it really makes sense for it to start in Lommel." The Belgian track is considered one of the hardest due to its soft and sandy terrain which is the most demanding for riders, both regarding skill and stamina: "I love racing in the sand and I am good at it, which is why it's good to start in Lommel, but in MX2 it will be tough to get through two long races at the pace of the best riders. My advantage is that I usually get good starts and that I am good in the sand because I have spent four years training here. The secret of sand is just practicing a lot to gain strength and experience."

Prado was 65 c.c. World Champion and last year he was crowned 125 c.c. European Champion, and this is why his career can be considered brilliant: "Two years ago I was still on a 85 and I couldn't even dream that I would now be on a 250 and making my MX2 debut, but here we are and I will do my best to not let anyone down." The rider from Lugo leads up to the event in good shape, despite a big crash last week while training, from which he is still recovering. Although he doesn't yet have the body or the physical capacity of an adult, he works daily to achieve his dream: "I am already the same height as Cairoli and I am only missing some body volume and stamina, but this only comes by training."

The record breaking kid, the premature racer, earns another milestone and, the fifteen year old will will make his World Championship debut on July the 30th and, as always, he will do so without pressure, but without holding back: "I have been riding really fast lately and I believe I am ready to ride a good race. My objective is to get good starts and hold on to them as long as possible; finishing in the top ten in my debut would be awesome." Racing at home had to have some sort of advantage: "exactly seven minutes by bike, if I take the shortcut..." Jorge Prado keeps progressing, with shortcuts or without them.